Techniques for Managing Communication Apprehension

Communication apprehension, also known as stage fright, is the fear of public speaking. Although for many people public speaking can be a scary experience, there are ways to alleviate this fear. Speakers can manage their communication apprehension by doing as much work on the speech as possible beforehand, and managing their thoughts and attitudes before and during the presentation. 

Be Prepared - One of the most effective ways of managing communication apprehension is to be prepared. When speakers have thoroughly prepared to give a speech, they project confidence to the audience. Speakers can prepare for their speaking occasions by knowing about themselves, the topic of the speech and the audience that is going to hear it. Speakers need to know how they react to stress and be aware of the strengths and weaknesses that they have so they can improve upon those weak spots. In addition, speakers must research their speech topic thoroughly and get information about members of the audience, such as their beliefs, age, gender and religious or political affiliations.

Be Positive - Keeping a positive attitude can help speakers reduce their nervousness by creating an expectation of success. One way to do this is through visualization, where speakers picture themselves giving a speech that is successful. Positive thoughts help speakers change the way they think about public speaking and help them build their confidence. It's important, however, for speakers to remain realistic so they do not build up their expectations so high that they are setting themselves up for a major fall.

Practice, Practice, Practice - When speakers practice their speeches ahead of time, they determine the strong points of the speech as well as the weak points. This gives speakers a chance to change the content that does not fit well into the speech. Practice also allows speakers to determine what type of delivery works best for them, so they can adjust their delivery style as needed. It is also helpful for speakers to practice their speech in front of friends or family members, which gives them the opportunity to get an idea of how an audience might react.

Breathe - Breathing exercises can help the speaker calm down before or during a speech. By breathing deeply, a speaker releases tension in the hands, head or face, which helps to get rid of excess energy and helps the speaker to relax.